The Born Korea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, has been referred to the prosecution for violating the origin labeling law.
According to the legal community on the 23rd, the Special Judicial Police of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (Agricultural Products Special Judicial Police) referred The Born Korea to the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's Office on the 4th with a 'prosecution opinion' for violating the origin labeling law.
The Born Korea is accused of falsely labeling the origin of some products. The company is suspected of indicating the origin of some ingredients, such as 'Baek Jong-won's Baekseok Doenjang' and 'Hanshin Pocha Nakji Bokkeum', as domestic when they are actually imported. Additionally, 'Deopjuk' was embroiled in controversy for using Vietnamese shrimp while advertising it as domestic and natural.
In response, the Special Judicial Police issued a corrective order for 'label deletion and modification' for three items, including soy sauce, agricultural processing, and doenjang, in March. Regarding the matter, CEO Baek expressed his apologies during the regular shareholders' meeting of The Born Korea held that same month. Last month, he announced through an official press release that he would cease all broadcasting activities.
CEO Baek stated, "As much as I love and cherish The Born Korea, I should have repaid with better appearances and products, but I have fallen short of those expectations in many ways. I am particularly reflecting deeply on the irreparable mistakes that occurred during the production and distribution process," and added, "I humbly accept the criticism and promise to swiftly improve all matters, including legal issues."
The police are currently conducting a total of 14 investigations related to The Born Korea for violations of the law on labeling and advertising of food, as well as violations of the Food Sanitation Act. The Gangnam Police Station and the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Chungnam Police Agency are investigating allegations of violating the food labeling and advertising law by using foreign raw materials for some products, such as 'Chewy Sweet Potato Bread', and falsely advertising them as 'our agricultural products', as well as violations of the Food Sanitation Act for manufacturing and supplying chicken bone frying equipment without approval.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
